Original subtitles

Starring

KNIFE IN THE WATER

Screenplay

Music

Cameraman

Photography

Directed by

"... Three, four!"

"Forward. Hands under lips."

"Head and cap up - and down."

"One, two..."

They're out early

"One, two ..."

"Left, turn, straight..."

"Left, turn, straight..."

You didn't turn out the lights

"One last time round the room."

"One, two, three, four..."

Little jerk!

"...The tempo is distinctly relaxing..."

If you'd been standing half a mile further up,

there'd be a corpse on the road You get me?

It was a miracIe I stopped in time!

I mean, if you'd been driving, you'd have -

No You'd have just stopped

and invited this ass-hole in

I'm very sorry Forgive me, darling

I'm most terribly sorry

Do get in, please

Do you prefer the front or the back?

Here

Here's a cushion, blanket

Maybe you'll manage to get some sleep?

We'll do our best not to disturb you

We won't talk

"- Good morning ..." - Sorry, I'll switch it off

"- ...The time is ..." - There

It's Sunday

There are no trucks on Sunday

And well, it's such a nice car

I thought maybe it was from an embassy

Embassies, they tend to stop

I didn't know it was private

Or maybe the embassy chauffeur got the car for a Sunday out?

The word is "driver", not "chauffeur"

I've an eye for detail

Don't miss much

The number-plate's Polish

Anyway, do you look like an embassy chau-

- driver?

There are a few decent cars in private hands these days

A 404, that's about the max

Though I did see a 190 SL in Warsaw

And two Jaguars

Shit Excuse me

It's just we're hitting 80 mph and you're so

My husband's a pretty good driver

- Shit - Where are you headed?

- What about you? - Not far to go The marina

Good enough

Pity I can't say this car took me all the way from Warsaw

And if I hadn't stopped?

There'd be a corpse on the road

What is it, a kind of sport?

Life would be boring otherwise, wouldn't it?

How old are you?

I'd have run over a kid and taken the rap for an adult

Thank you

Where?

Over there

The keys

- Put the sack down - Where? Here?

I'll pass it to you

Club boat?

No, ours

I'll be off then

Hey!

- What?! - Come on up

I've a long way to go yet

Come on up I've got something to tell you

- What? - You know what -

The bilge is full of water

- Well, bail it out - Well, what?

- I'll give you some advice - You could do it yourself

I said: bail it out

With other cars - get off the road

- I know Poor brakes - And nerves

I'll be straight with you

I always do it that way

It's just the others pull up way ahead

And then don't take you

- I wanted to scare you - Shit Excuse me

You sure managed that

- I'm off - Unmoor the tender, would you?

- Here? - Yes

Never been on the water?

No I'm a hiker

In that case, it'll be like discovering America

I like walking You know, your own legs

You rely on yourself

I'll try some other time

- We're just out for a day - Yeah?

Me too

- You're leaving the wipers? - They won't get stolen here

Anyway, I can always replace them

- Can you do me a favor? - Well?

How long are you staying on the water?

Till dawn

- So could I ? - Well?

come at dawn, and get a ride back?

For a minute I thought a sailor had been born

So you need an extra hand

We'll manage

I'm off

You wouldn't have jumped out of the way

I knew you'd stop

You're a kid, but I admire you

Hey!

I knew you'd call me

- No way - I know what you're thinking

- Oh yeah? - You want to play on

Get real Me play with a kid like you?

You called me back

Take your shoes off, and climb on board

- Cast off the bow-line - Casting off

Push bow to port

Bow to port

Ready about

On the water, you need to have reflexes

Let me I'll bail it out

And discipline

When I was an apprentice helmsman, we had a bosun -

Krystyna, what was his name?

The guy with the willow

He'd say: see that willow?

It was an oak

If the bosun says it's a willow, it's a willow

-"To the willow, quick march!" - Shit

Excuse me

So much water in there

We'd sit on that willow maybe an hour at a time

On that oak

willow, for us

- And he made us go "cuckoo" - Made you do what?

Make a cuckoo sound Like the bird

And you cuckooed

He wasn't all that smart

but he turned us into men

- Are we moving? - Well, spit

In the water

What for?

We're moving!

- You could also dip your foot - You could

- But you wouldn't - Why not?

It's not a salt bath

I think I forgot the salt

No, I didn't Here it is

- Tribute to your wife? - What?

- The name - Yes

But I forgot the gherkins

The wife's name is Christine?

Krystyna

Hear that?

Yes

You haven't lost the keys?

No They're here

- Where? - Here On the table

Help yourselves

I don't know if you like

I've got a radish

Great idea! We should have thought of it before

I always say, more vegetables, vitamins

- Here - Thanks I've got one

Why do you carry that dagger?

It's useful

Especially in the forest

It's no use on the water, but

it's handy if you're

tearing through the undergrowth

Because sailing, on water

is nothing, really

It's when you head out on your own

that you need a knife

That's how it is, in life

You're such a kid

It's easy to cut yourself

Ever happened to you?

Got to be careful

You can never be sure

There was a sailor once

wanted to show off in company

Others were more fun

Told jokes

Showed card tricks

And this sailor suddenly

took a couple of empty bottles

broke them against the floor

took off his shoes and got on the table

You're bored

Coil the bow-line

Into a sun shape

If you show me how -

Got to be at the helm You can't replace me

- You need to know how - I can learn

Head for that buoy

OK

It's not here you need it, it's here

Go on, coil up that line

What's with all this ordering about?

With two on board, one's the captain

Or corporal

- You served in the army? - No

I was at university

So what do you do now?

You a gynecologist?

I write

Song lyrics?

- Read the "Sports Courier"? - No

Ready about

Let fly portjib-sheet

Haul in starboard jib-sheet

What's up?

Throw me my rucksack, would you?

I'm going I've had enough

I'm a hiker, not a roustabout

You're a wimp

Man, there are 120 lakes here Why go this way? Why?

Krystyna, give the man his rucksack

I'll manage

- We'll return another way - Not with me, though

You chicken out easily

I don't like being made a clown

Go on, take the helm

I wasn't talking to you, madam

You get in, please! I'll manage!

Give me the line!

No no no Get in, both of you

- Get in! - Give me the line!

Don't be crazy!

Get to the helm, or we'll keel over!

Twelve o'clock

Twelve ten

He hasn't got a watch

- What are you cooking? - What?

Compass

It's big

No use for hitch-hiking

No whistling on board

Why not?

Sailing boat rules

A seaman would be made to climb the mast for that

A deck-hand wouldn't, of course

You want me to cuckoo?

- I ought to kick your ass! - Andrzej, let's go back

- I'm to change route for him? - Can't get me up here

Maybe I should give him a gold watch as well?

Andrzej, please

OK Give me the helm

- Going about! - Ready about!

- Let out portjib-sheet! - Portjib-sheet let out!

- Haul in starboard jib-sheet! - Starboard jib-sheet hauled in!

Amen

- Where are my shoes? - Where you left them

Rub my back

- Ass - Who?

Cloud's like a donkey

True

On the left there

there's another one

It's breaking up

A storm's brewing

Incredible How can you tell? In your bones?

We'll manage to get a swim before it starts

But we're not moving at all

The wind's died down

What's going to happen now?

Lunch

I could tell by my stomach

Do we get a finger-bowl?

Your patent?

You think it's unnecessary?

Hold it without it

You split the soup, not me!

Sit down

Why aren't you eating?

I want to reach the shore Is there no way?

- We've got oars - Where?

In the forepeak

But we're having lunch

Sailing's for adults

When there's wind, you move

- When there isn't, you don't - Waste of time

- What would you be doing now? - Walking

What for?

For the sake of walking You wouldn't understand

You just walk

Please quit fooling Eat up

Could you steer right, please?

Did I hear an order?

- Our guest wants new bearings - I want to sail shoreward

- There's a shore there too - At least here it's visible

- Too shallow - So?

We'll crash if we row

Andrzej, let's move We'll find a way through

Why did he get on the table?

Who?

The bosun

Which one?

The one who broke the bottles

It wasn't a bosun A sailor

He jumped on them from the table

Blood squirted all the way to the ceiling

- And? - Well, he was a tough guy

Krystyna, take a look

See?

Listen

- Well? What's up? - Take off your bib

- Jump! - No!

Dive in and get the oar

- I can't swim! - Don't bull-shit me

I can't swim Want me to drown?

- Jump - Leave him alone

The water it's just

Pass me the crocodile

You're ruining the deck

With feeling, though

If you fell in the water

I reckon you'd swim

Try me

Andrzej! The crocodile's blowing bubbles!

I was joking

Andrzej! Take the flippers OK?

OK?

There's a first aid kit below

Put a dressing on your hand

Want me to help you?

Put her in irons!

Let out the sail!

Krystyna!

Got a fright, huh?

I worked it out in the end Except for the wind

You need to look at these strings

Want to try leaning out?

Show what you can do

- I'm to lean out overboard? - Yes

You need a bit of courage

We're moving!

You sail for the sake of sailing

You walk

Knife! Knife!

Here

Goddamit!

I said it was too shallow

Well you were at the helm

- Let's try pushing - Easy now

Wind's died down again

Well? What's up?

It's deep on that side

- Will we manage? - Give me the oar

Not that one The long one

Put it up

Give me the oar

Try again

Get in

- Undo it here - Let me see

Krystyna

"Ladies and gentlemen! The Turk's attacking!"

"He lands a left hook in Molik's stomach"

"but Molik hits back at once with a blow to the forearm."

"The Turk's all shaken up, ladies and gentlemen."

"He'll be a bit less arrogant now."

"And indeed he is, ladies and gentlemen."

"History repeats itself..."

Don't turn round, please

"... if I might just mention the battle of Vienna"

"in which perhaps some ancestor of our Molik"

"was as effective in beating the forebear of Bel Hassan"

"as his descendant is today in beating his ancestor."

"l mean his descendant. The Turk's, that is."

"Sorry l'm confused, but this really is..."

"an emotional sight."

"Our brave Molik, ladies and gentlemen!"

"Putting on a show of such wonderful legwork!"

"See those legs in action, ladies and gentlemen ..."

"Unbelievable. Like a ballerina."

"And right now all of Poland is looking at those legs ..."

"and wishing Molik a repeat of the success of brilliant..."

"...King Jan Sobieski, who beat the faceless."

"l mean, faithless. Get him, Molik!"

"Our wishes go with your blows."

"Boy, have I been talking!"

Put out some glasses, Krystyna

"His straight left hits Molik's jaw"

"Now a straight right... straight left..."

"- Molik's on the boards..." - Medicine

"They're cheering Hassan ... Typical southerners ..."

"No sense of fair play. He's not been KO'd, of course."

"Our boy just slipped."

To all at sea

"But the ref's started counting, ladies and gentlemen."

"ln English, ladies and gentlemen. He's neutral. Dutch."

"Three, four... How long is he going to count like that?"

We'll blow up the ll-Ios

"...Now, the Pole's sitting up Turkish style ..."

"and getting up! as I said, there's no knock-out..."

just Molik's "tactical maneuver."

"He's come up rested, with restored energy..."

"as he frequently does, ladies and gentlemen..."

- Race you - OK Wait!

"... because he rested too long. The flight is on again!"

"Molik's stalking his prey again ..."

- Ready? - Ready

"Will it work out OK for him again?"

"Molik takes a huge swing..."

"This could finish the Turk ... Yes, he goes for it!"

"But the Turk's no" wilting flower either

"He's good at dodging. And he's just dodged."

Molik follows up and they're "wrapped in a clinch!"

"Molik's a clinch expert. He sticks to someone ..."

"no way can you unstick him."

"It's "break!", in English - but Molik's English is poor."

"Anyway, he's resting. They've broken up!"

"They're back together. The Turk's losing strength."

"No, he's holding on. Molik too. He's holding on to the Turk."

"It's break again."

Ready!

Another dickhead they sent to Ankara

We've no-one better in welterweight

It's the idiot commentator I'm talking about

- Do you play bridge? - Yes

Pity

- No cards? - No fourth player

What about a dummy?

The handicapped aren't allowed on board

"...the Polish community supporting our great boys."

"Here's me chatting, while half the first round's gone by."

Here you go

"...Excuse me, that was the whole round."

"Now a minute's break."

"The cornestants are in their contests, sorry, contestants"

"are in their corners"

"Molik's sitting calmly. He's breathing freely."

"Rosolowski, the coach is whispering in his ear."

"He's obviously giving a few foolproof tips..."

"Molik's smiling..."

Here Real ones

"He's sure of victory."

"Let's look at his opponent!"

"He's talking with his coach too. But nervously."

You start

- I've never played this - Pick-up sticks sailor's game

- You go first - You start, Krystyna

- No, you go ahead - Let's get on with it

We pull one each

If you joggle, you give a forfeit

"Joggle"? That's kid's language

"... must be incredibly resistant to blows."

I wonder if any of our older listeners"

"remember the famous Zenek Krepaczewski..."

So you're not to move them, right?

Here

"Had a dragon's appetite."

"Talking of food, Turkish cooking is very spicy."

"Full of paprika ..."

It's straightforward

"... the proverbial Turkish pepper."

"But never mind that, we're about to see"

"round two of this welterweight match"

"between our Maciek Molik and the Turk ..."

"What's his name... Kaz, did you move my notes?"

Here This should work

- Yes, yes - Forfeit

"...must have momentarily got caught up in thought"

"and dropped his guard. The Turk seized the chance"

to lay him a left hook

You start, Krystyna

Thank you

"... he drives Molik into a corner..."

- My turn - Right

now he's chasing him "around the ring"

"He's chasing, but he can't catch up with him."

"l wish the same could be said of our cyclists!"

"Good wisecrack, eh? Luckily, the crisis is over."

"Molik's back in business, dancing freely..."

with feeling

Right With feeling

"...Oh how he dances! It's indescribable."

"This has got to be seen..."

Shit

Sorry

"...They're still checking each other out."

"Like two surgeons before the decisive cut..."

"But let's get to that cut, because time's running out!"

"Our man has still failed to gain the advantage."

You start

"He outclasses his opponent, just the way he stands."

"But the Turk's no wimp either."

"You could say he's a real Turkish janissary."

"Molik's about to attack."

"You can tell from his face. But he's not attacking."

Should have picked here

"The Turk can't take the stress. He's going forward."

"Molik's going back. Now it's Molik forward, the Turk back."

"Tough game, boxing. Man's game."

"No room for sentiment."

"l mention this in view of"

"the debate about its alleged harmful effects"

"and the opinion that it shouldn't be taught..."

- What was that? - Forfeit

"...when it's due to the excellent training by"

"coach Rosolowski that Molik now has a chance -"

"a great chance -"

"to get two more points for his country."

"And yes, the coach has just shouted ''Forward!''..."

"Molik obeys the call without hesitation!"

"Damn..."

"He's gone straight into the Turk's right fist."

What am I to do with the forfeit I have in my hand?

The captain must be better than his crew

What am I to do with the forfeit I have in my hand?

Sing

"... he's just laid out in the middle of the ring..."

Don't pretend you won't enjoy it

What shall I sing?

No need to be coy about your music theory lessons

The piece you're always humming -

- Don't sing that

That's the one

Our guest asked me to sing it

The captain's authority doesn't extend to repertoire

Wait, wait!

"...We're all upset by Molik's defeat"

"but nobody seriously thought he could..."

- Go on, please sing - No, please listen

- No, sing - No please listen

"...be South-East European champion."

"A frequent Olympic flighter for Turkey..."

"Let's hope this defeat..."

Go ahead

Don't speak, don't speak, don't talk

Don't

I can't -

- please sing - I can't do it

You won't get the forfeit, then

Oh all right

Don't speak, don't speak, don't talk -

Don't look, don't look, Let me walk

Our words have dried up, our moon and sun,

Our feelings have simply gone

Don't lie, don't lie, don't beg me

You know that nothing remains

Though there's emptiness, you don't need me -

we're not happy our love's not the same

So don't speak, don't speak, don't talk -

Night and day are no longer a blur

You're back to the regular clock,

you're not the guy you were

you're not the guy you were

- I can't remember the rest - That song

A stupid pop-song

- But - - Who could have KO'd Molik?

Here you are

What am I to do with the forfeit I have in my hand?

Say a poem

I hear a mosquito's lament

Maybe you, mother

I only know bits of it

How could Molik let himself be KO'd like that?

Night

- Last drops of fuel in the lamp - What?

I hear a mosquito's lament

Maybe you, mother, are those few stars

in the firmament

Or a white sail on the lake

Or a wave on the sloping sands

Maybe the stardust on this page was sprinkled with your hands?

Or maybe you're the midday hour?

The buzz of bees in August's golden rooms?

Yesterday, I found a hairpin in the reeds

Yours, I presume?

- There! - Bravo, bravo!

You've got an excellent memory

Switch on the radio if you like

Look, this is how it should be done

I knew a guy who did it the way I did

He was a genius at the game

Zdzisio Majzner, his name was

Had a huge boat

Sixty yards of sail

He was a great guy

Had a senior helmsman's license

Actually, it was false

But he passed the test later

He was a great guy

Always said

Pick-up sticks

They're not just bits of wood

They're an organism

- What's the matter? - I didn't say anything

But our guest doesn't know this

He's asleep

Asleep?

I guess he was tired

Probably slept in the forest yesterday

He said it's just for one day

What did you invite him for?

You sure he's not pretending to sleep?

Hey! Hey!

What time shall I set the alarm for?

Five

- Earlier than that - Is he really asleep?

Five will do

The case is at nine

I heard you going out

You weren't asleep?

I sleep watchfully

I couldn't sleep

Close atmosphere

It had rained, but it was still close

When do we sail?

The halyard's broken We have to fit a new one

Got to bail out the water too

Go and get some sleep

Shall I bail out the water?

early birds

I thought we were supposed to get up at five

- We're fitting the halyard - So I see Well done

I didn't sleep a wink

What am I to do with the rope that I have in my hand?

Sit at the helm

- Haul the anchor - What?

Pull up the anchor

Put it in the forepeak

Go down there now

What for?

please go down to the forepeak

Forepeak gone down

- You see the chest? - Chest seen

Quit clowning

We'll be in port soon Quit playing captain

There are rags inside

Found them?

That's not all

There's a pall

- Deck needs scrubbing - I could do that

Stay at the helm, OK?

You got a schooling there It'll be useful to you

But all in all you had a good time, huh?

The main thing is, we part as friends

- Say something nice to him - Just head for that buoy

Where's my knife?

What's happened to my knife?

Calm down

Nothing goes missing on my yacht

I'm not saying it's missing, I'm asking, where is it?

In my pocket

Why did you hide it?

What do you think? I was afraid of you?

If I'd wanted to do something

I'd have managed without the knife

I'd like it back now

Take it

please give me back the knife

Come on, give it back!

Jump!

Here's another one Take it!

He's not coming up

You hear me?!

He's not coming up!

Calm down

He can swim

- He said he couldn't - He was lying!

Swim to the right! To the right!

OK!

Here!

He's probably grabbed the buoy!

- He's not there! - Look round the other side!

He's not there!

You've drowned a man

You hear?

- What was his name? - You've drowned a man

- He must come up in the end! - He couldn't swim!

He lied!

- He didn't bathe once - Even a drowned man comes up!

- How deep is it around here? - Thirty feet Maybe less

- It's deeper than that - So what am I to do?

Jump in again We've got to shout Call the police

Why? We don't know who he was Will they save him?

See, you're admitting he's drowned You've drowned a kid

This can't be undone You've killed him!

Quit shouting!

Leave it!

- You're a murderer - Shut up

You're scared already Shaking

You're not even trying to play it cool

Tough guy

You know what you are? A poseur, a fraud

Showing off in front of a boy A kid

That's why you took him - to show off

- You're a clown! - And you're hysterical!

- I'm your wife - Otherwise you'd be a slut!

You're just vulgar!

I hate you!

Go on Jump, and swim

I hate you

- I can't bear to look at you - So don't look

Jump and swim to the shore

You think I'm afraid of the police?

Cretin

I want to puke

Fraud!

You're posing right now!

You'll be right back, I know you!

You hear?

You'll be right back

So you do know how to swim

Andrzej!

I didn't hear anything

My teeth were chattering

Andrzej, come back!

Maybe we should call out, both of us

- Andrzej! - Andrzej come back!

Go down to the galley Have some brandy

- I'll get my things and swim - Haven't you caused enough

- trouble for one day? - I really couldn't hear

My teeth were rattling Couldn't hear anything

If I'd known, I'd never have let this happen

Let what happen?

Well, what happened

- You - Shit

You're just the same

Except he's twice as old and strong

- and clever - What do you know?

Cafes, the yacht

The car

You've probabIy got a four-room apartment

- What do you know about life? - About life?

You mean about yourself

Don't tell me You live four to a room in a student hostel

- Six - I've been through that

Haven't forgotten yet

He's been through it too

You're no better than he is Understand?

He was like you

You want to be like him You will be

- If you have the gumption - You're wrong

Six to a room

You want to sleep The others are playing bridge

You want to study The others want to sleep

A small grant to pay for the refectory and cigarettes

Kissing at the front door

In winter-time, it's too cold even to undo her blouse

Is that all?

Anything else you'd like? Parent's death?

Sister with TB?

No

Are they alive?

Divorced

Re-married

Any brothers or sisters?

No

Parents help out?

Father sends me something sometimes

Take this off You'll catch coid

What's going on?

- See? You're a kid - What?

I'm sorry

Don't be silly

It's Monday

Trucks?

Plenty of them

Supplies are on the move

Monday's the best day

Are you ready?

Fend off?

Right

Fending off

They've stolen the wipers

You didn't hear the shouting?

Who was shouting?

I was shouting after you

Did you go to the police?

Naked? At night?!

You knew I couldn't get in the car

- You could've hurried up - You could've broken in

Are we going home?

We're going to the police

To report the wipers?

Are you scared?

- Are you scared? - No

- You are - I'm telling you, I'm not

You're not afraid?

I am

- We're turning back - What?

Don't go to the police You're scared That's enough

But you're safe They won't hold anything against you

You'll just take the car and go home

He was there behind the buoy

He dived as I was searching

You were far away when he re-surfaced

We called out together You didn't hear?

How could I have done? I was doing the crawl

Anyway, don't bull-shit me

You made it all up

You think this way you can save me

You'll tell me a pack of lies

I'll pretend I believe you We'll go back home

And then it'll be in the papers

19-year-old left home Missing

And we'll be going pale in company

No, you made it up Gives you another chance to preach

I took a good look under that buoy

He drowned

He certainIy didn't

I even managed to be unfaithful to you with him

I'm afraid?

You're the one who's afraid

So afraid, you don't know what you're saying

By the way

I meant to ask you - you never finished that story

- What story? - Why have we stopped?

I'm trying to believe what you said

Why would you try to convince me you did it with that kid?

A stupid joke

Sorry I won'tjoke any more

You're saying sorry? It was my

Andrzej - why did that guy jump on the bottles?

What's up now?

You didn't finish the story

Oh, that's just nonsense

"One and two and'left and right and..."

Which way are we going?

- He was too sure of himself - Who?

The sailor

He'd done the trick many times

He was stoker on a ship His soles were hardened

from walking on embers

But he had a year's break His feet softened up

He hadn't realized

He didn't jump any more after that?

I don't know what happened to him